The Italian Dolomites are located near the Austrian border in the country’s northeast corner. This jaw-dropping mountain range is chock full of monumental peaks, turquoise blue lakes, and alpine meadows. it is an outdoor mecca THAT exudes an abundance of culture and charm. In this blog post, I am going to share our favourite hotel in the area and why you need to add it to your itinerary!
Famous for hiking, cycling, climbing, skiing, and paragliding, there was no question in our minds that we wanted to visit this unique part of Italy during our honeymoon. We arrived prepared for the grand landscapes, the incredible hiking trails, and the sometimes nauseating switchbacks.
What we didn’t come prepared for, however, was the divine luxury, outstanding hospitality, and mind-blowing meals that we experienced at Hotel Col Alto.
The moment we arrived, we were welcomed warmly by the entire staff. Each one of them were exceptionally kind, accommodating, and helpful. From recommending hikes in the area to remembering what we liked to drink with dinner each night, they always went out of their way to make our stay more enjoyable.
As the first stop on our journey through Italy, we soaked up every minute we could at Hotel Col Alto. From the private sauna in our room—seriously… wait until you see the rooms!— to the serene spa area, this magnificent property did not disappoint.
Let yourself feel embraced by the warm, homely atmosphere of our 4-star hotel in Alta Badia. Nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, right by the legendary Sellaronda route, Col Alto combines the cosiness of traditional Alpine design with contemporary elegance. Our modern rooms and suites, refined lounges and exquisite wellness area offer the perfect blend of warm hospitality and comfort, with a touch of indulgence to round off the experience.
– Hotel Col Alto
The Location
Situated at the base of the striking Sassongher Peak, Corvara is a picturesque place to stay in the Dolomites. Surrounded by infinite hiking trails, ski lifts, outdoor activities, and viewpoints, this place is an adventure lover’s paradise!
Whether you are visiting in the summer, winter, fall, or spring, this is a great gateway to iconic places like Passo Gardena, Seceda Ridge, Val di Funes, Alpe di Siusi, and Ortisei.
Not to mention, Col Alto is within walking distance of a bank, a laundromat, a variety of shops, and several restaurants. We can’t recommend any other restaurants, however, because we only ever wanted to eat at the hotel! Trust us on this one, the food is out of this world.
The Property
The impressive property at Hotel Col Alto is comprised of two beautiful buildings connected by an underground tunnel. Offering everything from comfortable double rooms to a variety of lavish suites, there is truly something for everyone.
Upon arrival, you will notice a large, stylish lounging area with a bar, a fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows. This was one of our favourite places to grab a creative cocktail and enjoy the panoramic mountain views. The elegant yet relaxed cigar room is a classy retreat for connoisseurs.
Across the tunnel, in Col Alto’s wellness building, is the spacious and bright swimming pool. With an extravagant glass ceiling, showers, hanging loungers, and a whirlpool, this is a great place to relax after a day on the trails!
Next to the pool, you will find an enormous spa featuring a Finnish sauna, sea salt steam grotto, classic Turkish bath, herbal bath, tepidarium, ice fountain, and multiple relaxation areas. On top of that, they offer a variety of massages and revitalizing treatments that can be booked during your stay.
The Rooms
I know you have been on the edge of your seat since I mentioned our private sauna, so without further ado, let’s talk about the rooms! Each type of suite shows off exquisite mountain views along with unique features from fireplaces to saunas and outdoor jacuzzis.
As we walked into the doorway of the Suite Wellness Deluxe, we were completely blown away. It is one of the nicest rooms we have stayed in not only in Italy but anywhere in the world!
The beautiful living room offers a cozy couch, a stylish dining area, and access to not one but two marvellous balconies. These spanned almost the entire length of the suite and gave us mind-blowing sunset views over Corvara and Gardena Pass.
The spacious bathroom boasts a sizeable glass-walled shower and a two-person soaker tub from which you can enjoy the fantastic views. This on its own would have been impressive, but Hotel Col Alto took things to the next level by adding a private Finnish sauna into the mix!
Spas are something we don’t see all the time in Canada but are delighted by their popularity in the Dolomites. Although many hotels offer spa facilities, this is the first we have ever seen in your room!
We spent every evening cozied up in the sauna watching the sun go down. It was an incredibly relaxing way to end the day.
The sizeable bedroom included a full-sized wardrobe, a plush, cozy, king-sized bed, and another access point to the large balcony. The modern design and grand patio doors made the room feel luxurious, bright, cozy, and romantic all at the same time.
Even with all of those huge features, Hotel Col Alto hasn’t forgotten about the small details. They offer a variety of soaps, lotions, and beauty products for guests to use as well as a coffee bar, a stocked mini fridge, and elegant bath robes.
The Food
Included with each stay is a delectable buffet each morning in the breakfast room. Served from 7:30-10 AM, this heavenly spread is a remarkable way to start your day. When we visited, the menu consisted of a wide variety of bread, cheese, meat, baking, fruit, cereal, sweets, and more!
They even had a station where you could get an omelette, scrambled eggs, or crepes made fresh. Breakfast was always accompanied by an array of coffee, tea, fresh juice, and water.
During the day, if you are looking for tasty snacks and creative drinks, you can visit the Iceberg Lounge Bar. They specialize in creative, sophisticated cocktails prepared with premium ingredients. These can be enjoyed inside or on the scenic patio.
While booking your stay, you will have a few different food options to choose from. One is to select only breakfast, and the other is called half board. We would highly recommend the half-board option! It includes the breakfast buffet as well as a fantastic 4- course dinner you are not going to want to miss.
The massive buffet of salad, bread, cheese, and appetizers could be a meal all on its own. We were completely mind blown when it was followed by two more delicious courses and desserts. The staff was always incredible and the food was out of this world!
Our Alpine dishes are either prepared according to traditional recipes or reinterpreted with a modern twist and skilful creativity. The 4-course menu also includes Mediterranean and international dishes, all prepared using locally-sourced produce of the finest quality. All meals are accompanied by a rich salad buffet.
– Hotel Col Alto
To book your stay with Hotel Col Alto, click here!
We hope you enjoy your time in the Dolomites. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comment below with your thoughts on Hotel Col Alto. We would love to hear from you!
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